The Alpha Bully's Obsession

His personal maid

Rina Zante

"Che la dea della luna ti protegga."

"Così sia." I opened my eyes, my amusement not hidden. "I'm relocating upstairs, Mammà, not leaving the county. "

"You always need prayers. Always. I tell you this all the time." Although her tone was stern, she bore a smile.

I pulled her to a hug, and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek. "Ti voglio bene."

"I love you too." We pulled apart. "Remember what I told you. Be nice—I trust you on that anyway. And don't ever hesitate to let me know should you find anything disturbing, okay?"

I nodded. I had told Mammà that Piccolo Maestro hadn't offended me in any way. Instead it was Mia I was concerned about. In my words, "she gives me bad vibes." Now, I knew it was wrong of me to put the blame on Mia. She hadn't really been nice, but then, she hadn't been that much of a problem to me. However, desperate situations called for drastic actions. I had to do what I had to do.

Mamma had told me not to worry. She too had noticed that from her. All I needed to do was to serve Piccolo Maestro well and mind my business. I hadn't thought the excuse would sell.

I pulled Mammà in for another hug, before grabbing my bag and walking off. As soon as I stepped out of the room into the hallway, I spotted Rina. She was standing at the mouth of the staircase. Her gaze was so intense, it squashed air out of my lungs. I nearly coughed.

I couldn't help but wonder if she had picked my conversation with Mammà. La merda. I hoped not.

Summoning up courage, I clutched my bag tighter and began walking. As I moved past her to the other end of the hallway where the stairs leading to Piccolo Mastro's room was, her voice surfaced, cold and icy, "He doesn't like his women fat. Don't try getting your hopes up."

I ignored her. I did, and that in any way surprised me.

Mia was wrong if she thought I nursed feelings for Piccolo Maestro. The guy was frightening, almost like Orcus. I hadn't really nursed feelings for anyone —normal acting people at that. Certainly, it was not worth stressing the fact that Piccolo Maestro didn't matter to me in any way.

***

As part of my job as Piccolo Maestro’s maid, I had to stay by his side as he ate. Right now, he alongside, his parents were having dinner. I stood behind him with my gaze permanently fixed to the floor. It was uncomfortable. But then, this was the best option. I couldn't just watch the family eat. Not only was it awkward, it showed disrespect as well.

"You made her your personal maid?" Luna's flat voice broke the silence. The topic made me want to disappear in a puff. "When did this happen?"

Piccolo Maestro kept silent for some time. Judging by the clinking of his cutlery, he was eating. "Yesterday."

"And you didn't think it was right to inform me?"

"Alvina," the Alpha started. "Are we doing this now?"

It wasn't in my place to know what her reaction was. The atmosphere was beyond tense for me and I pleaded with time to run its course quickly.

"Vincenzo."

A disgruntled sigh came from Piccolo Maestro’s. The sound of his cutlery clinking ceased.

"Well, since it's okay for you to covet my worker, you should be ready to have her attend classes with you."

What?

"What?" Piccolo Maestro interjected, his voice taking me by surprise that I trembled.

"Yes. I mean, it's only fair that she does. As your personal maid, she's meant to follow you around and make sure all you need is available."

"What are you saying, Alvina?" the Alpha spoke. His soft voice brought me to tears, almost.

"What I'm saying is that henceforth, Rina, here, attends classes with Vincenzo. And speaking of which, Rina?"

No, please no. Having my heart in my mouth, I glanced at Luna who'd all of a sudden become scary to look at. That suggestion of hers alone painted her in a different light.

"Luna," I managed to speak.

"What would you like to major in?"

"Madre!" Piccolo Maestro landed his fist on the table, sending in a disturbance.

"You don't raise your voice at me, young man. And stop acting like a wild dog." Luna returned her focus to me. Her blue eyes glinted with determination. "I'm calling the admissions office first thing tomorrow morning."

Oh my god. Oh my god! Heart palpitations on rampage, I took down spit, and another. And another.

Luna returned to her meal, while I watched like a fool. It was expected of me to bow in appreciation, or run to her side and spill tears of joy and gratitude. I was supposed to shower encomiums on her and The Alpha, praying that the moon goddess rewarded them. But I did none of that. I couldn't speak. Couldn't think.

"Any nays in the house?" Luna spoke up again.

A defending silence replied her. I could hear my heartbeat clearly. Its swiftness made me dizzy.

"That's what I thought."

The silence returned, but it was brief this time around. Piccolo Maestro slapped the table once more and he pushed his seat backward. I was startled by the movement.

He sprang to his feet. "I won't take this. What the f**k?"

Luna's voice was calm, like it always was. "Language, Vincenzo. I'm your mother.

"And I'm 19. 19 for fucksake. The hell do you just make decisions about me off the cuff!"

"This clearly isn't about you. Or has your hotheadedness clouded your reasoning?"

I could hear him growling. Like a starved animal. In a slow, gravelly voice, he said, "You expect me to have this thing, this nobody you picked from the slums—"

"Vincenzo!" the Alpha cut in. This was the first time I heard him raise his voice. "That's enough."

If I didn't know better I'd have thought that The Alpha's words placated Piccolo Maestro, if not hypnotized him. No. I knew Piccolo Maestro. I knew he was seething. I knew he was flaming.

"Questo è assolutamente ridicolo. Hai iniziato tu. Mi hai spinto control il muro. You f*****g did,” as he said this, he stormed out of the dining. His words as well as his footsteps faded with the distance.

"Rina." The Luna's voice thawed my frozen gaze. "Get to bed. You need to wake up early for school tomorrow."

This wasn't real. It had to be one of my crazy imaginations. Yes, maybe me being here was a lie. Maybe, Mammà hadn't gotten employed here, instead I was lying on my iron rimmed bed, conjuring up these things.

However, the idea of being in a dream was absurd. Even if it wasn't—and maybe I was right after all, I had to kick aside my reservation and appreciate Luna and the Alpha.

And so, with a quivering smile, I genuflected, and out came my thanks, “Grazie, Luna. Grazie, Alpha. I am more than thankful.” Not.